KATY PERRY
Cozy Little Christmas (Amazon Music)
Nothing says Christmas like a streaming exclusive, and that’s what K-Pez serves up here. As bells jingle and drums clap, she implores Santa to take the day off and get a massage. Fair enough.
Contact Chloe Melick
chloe@insideslashout.com
GABRIELLE
This Christmas (BMG)
What do you mean you didn’t know Gabrielle had never made a Christmas song? This version of Donny Hathaway’s smooth 1971 hit caps her comeback year.
Contact Katie Gwyther
katie@fearpr.co.uk
BLOSSOMS
Wonderful Christmastime (Virgin EMI)
This synthy Paul McCartney cover isn’t the only gift the Stockport indie boys are giving: they’ve released a Christmas comic strip on Instagram. Cracking!
Contact George Cochran
george@murraychalmers.com
THE STAVES
Home Alone, Too (Atlantic)
The folky Watford trio get introspective on a seasonal ballad that delivers airy harmonies and realism: “I hate this time of year/It’s dark and it’s shit”.
Contact Harriet Brampton
harriet@chalkpressagency.co.uk
JESSIE J
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer/Jingle Bells (Republic)
This amazing double-header is the standout track on Jessie J’s This Christmas Day album. A yuletide treat that has to be heard to be believed.
Contact Mikey A Abegunde
mikey@intersectpr.com
CONFIDENCE MAN
Santa’s Comin’ Down The Chimney (Heavenly Recordings)
The Brisbane electro freaks promise to “pop Bublé’s bubble” with this, a Christmas song that’s far better suited to a 24-hour rave than a turkey dinner.
Contact Steve Philips
steve@carryonpress.co.uk
FREYA RIDINGS
Merry Christmas Everyone (Good Soldier)
Making a Shakin’ Stevens cover sound cool is no mean feat, and this is a timely reminder of Ridings’ vocal wizardry ahead of what will be a busy 2019.
Contact Katherine Bawden
katherine.bawden@warnermusic.com